Haith says five-year contract extension should bring UM stability

CORAL GABLES — After completing the most successful season in his tenure, University of Miami basketball coach Frank Haith was rewarded Monday with a contract extension.

Haith signed a five-year contract that will run through the 2012-13 season. Terms of the contract were not released.

"This contract provides stability for this program and gives my staff and I the opportunity, through our recruiting efforts, to build upon the solid foundation we have in place," Haith said in a statement. "We will continue our hard work in moving this program forward."

In his fourth season, Haith led the Hurricanes (23-11) to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002. UM started the year with 12 straight wins and finished fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference after being picked to finish last in preseason polls.

The Hurricanes improved their win total from last year by 10 games. After defeating Saint Mary's in the tournament opener, UM lost to Texas in the second round. It fell just one win shy of tying the school record.

"I have no doubt that Frank Haith is the right person to continue to take this men's basketball program to new heights," said retiring athletic director Paul Dee. "The progress this team has shown is exceptional and Frank deserves a lot of credit."

Baseball team No. 1

For the first time since 2004, the UM baseball team is ranked No. 1 in the country in the latest USA Today/ESPN Top 25 poll.

The Hurricanes (26-2, 12-1 ACC) have won 13 in a row after sweeping Clemson during the weekend. Florida State (28-3, 14-1 ACC) moved to No. 2 in the poll. At No. 3 is Arizona State (28-3), which lost twice this past week, followed by another ACC school, North Carolina (25-6, 10-4 ACC), and Wichita State (24-4).

In the Baseball America Top 25, UM is No. 1 but Arizona State and FSU swap places, followed North Carolina and California (21-7).

In the Collegiate Baseball poll, FSU is No. 1 and Miami No. 2, followed by Arizona State.